Exemptions – According to T.C.A. § 49-6-5001, a parent or guardian may file with school authorities a signed, written statement that the immunization or other preventive measures conflict with the parent's or guardian's religious tenets and practices, affirmed under the penalties of perjury. The Department of Health does not track or grant exemptions to immunization requirements. Inquire with your school or school district for more information.

Minimum ages or dose intervals – Tennessee follows published CDC guidelines.  For vaccines with critical minimum age requirements (e.g., MMR, varicella) or minimum dose intervals, doses are considered valid if given up to 4 days before the minimum age or dose interval.  Doses administered more than 4 days early are considered invalid and should be repeated as recommended.

Injectable or nasally administered live vaccines not administered on the same day should be administered at least 4 weeks apart. The 4-day "grace period" should not be applied to the 28-day interval between injectable or nasally administered live vaccines not administered at the same visit. If injectable or nasally administered live vaccines are separated by less than 4 weeks, the second vaccine administered should not be counted as a valid dose and should be repeated. The repeat dose should be administered at least 4 weeks after the last invalid dose.

Alternative proof of immunity for certain diseases – A positive serology (year of test documented) is acceptable as an alternative to immunization for measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B or varicella.  For varicella, documentation of provider diagnosed varicella (year) or provider-verified credible history of disease given by a parent or guardian (year) also is acceptable.  By documenting a history of disease, the provider is asserting that he or she is convinced that the child has had chickenpox.